Caspian Gull in Foxton

Not found by me, and only seen very briefly, but a first winter Caspian Gull in the temporary pools. Also nine Waxwings.

Med’ Gull in Foxton

Eventually went for our family Christmas walk on a sunny morning. Wicken Fen. Very nice, but not too many birds. Best sighting was a Hen Harrier at Burwell on the way back.

Then drove around the flooded fields in the village looking for Gulls. The best spot appeared to be between Foxton and Barrington. It proved superb. Three Yellow-legged Gulls (an adult and a third winter), and a single Great Black-backed Gull (a rarity in Foxton). These were amongst around thirty each of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, and Common Gulls, and several hundred Black-headed Gulls. There were also four Moorhens, six Grey Partridges, and five Grey Herons.

Then, at about 3:40, I found a first winter Mediterranean Gull. A first for me in Foxton. A great day!

Great Grey Shrike

After the rain eventually stopped, mid-afternoon, I went with Tom to Therfield to look for the Great Grey Shrike. We were successful (found by Tom) and also saw a Red Kite and two Barn Owls. An enjoyable couple of hours.

Fowlmere and Shepreth L-moor

 

Very quiet. Took a photo of a bored Grey Heron. That’s it! Went home when it started raining hard.

Fowlmere

A very quick walk around to get some fresh air. No birds, but lovely light.

Fowlmere
25 December 2012 12:09 - 12:41
Overcast 8C 12S
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Linnet, Magpie, Moorhen, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Woodpigeon, Green Woodpecker, Rook, Water Rail, Treecreeper, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Mistle Thrush, Fallow Deer

Richardson’s Canada Goose

Went to Norfolk for the Richardson’s Canada Goose (Cackling Goose - Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii). It had been ranging between Blakeney and Kelling and quite difficult to connect with. However, it had been seen at Kelling in the morning and so with a free afternoon I decided to gamble. Upon arrival I was unsure of the best path to take so asked a dog-walker with binoculars. He showed me the path but explained that it was pointless walking down there if I was after the goose as it had been missing for hours. With only a couple of hours light left, I decided to get back in the car and drive to Cley to see if had been reported there. However, driving past Salthouse, I noticed a flock of about fifty Canada Geese. Although it had never been reported there before, I decided I may as well pull over and give the flock a scan. And there it was!

I watched it for the best part of an hour and then went for a walk around Salthouse. This produced a flock of about thirty Snow Buntings and a female Common Scoter at sea.

An excellent afternoon!

Fowlmere

Heavy rain for 24 hours. Needed to get out though so popped to Fowlmere for a while. As expected, it was very quiet although a Cetti’s Warbler was heard, the first for some time. I pulled over along Fowlmere Road on the way back and could hear Waxwings in the bushes but they were the other side and out of view.